Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Aug 01, 2019 5:59 pm Hi people , hopefully someone can point me in the right direction . I am planning on building a Fish Tank Aperture in a single width brick wall between the study and the living area , as the wall isn't load bearing I was going to build a wooden frame inside the hole to support the existing brickwork . The hole will be 120cm across x 60cm high . I have since discovered there is in I-beam that runs across the living area and supported by the wall I want to cut a hole in , directly above where I want to cut the hole . There are no supports from the beam up to the roof , it appears its main purpose is to support the ceiling joists and stop them from sagging What are my options regarding the above , will I need to install a steel support across the top of the hole or can I install a steel frame around the hole ? In the picture below the Yellow outline is where I want the tank aperture , the red line is where the I-beam runs above the ceiling joists . Thanks Todd Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Cutting a hole in a brick wall 2Aug 08, 2019 11:17 pm I think you are a bit too close to the top of the wall for such a wide opening. If you just cut a hole in the wall that wide you may lose all the brickwork above it. If you are really keen on a fish tank in that single skin brick wall you would be safer to cut a hole in the ceiling directly under the hanging beam,( which you are calling an I beam) prop that up with an acrow prop,which you can hire for $4 a day,and remove all the brickwork from the ceiling down to the bottom of your proposed fish tank.Seeing you haven't got a cavity to install a L shaped angle lintel whereby the vertical leg of the lintel gives it its strength,you may be able to install a timber lintel ( for example 2/ 140x45 f17 hardwood glued and nailed together to make a beam 140x90. Give it at least 1/2 a brick support each side,Brick up to the ceiling again,off the timber lintel,nail some expanded metal onto the beam and re render the whole lot. Alternatively you could just stud the whole thing up and sheet with plasterboard, but be prepared to keep filling and painting the crack that will continue to appear between the plasterboard and the solid render. can’t tell from the photo, a tie down rod will be 12mm, is it a steel beam? he should be able to work it out 1 4470 Thanks for your advice. So far i have not noticed any issues with doors and windows. Builder advised they will organise drainers to inspect 2 weeks ago but no further… 7 18827 Thank you alexp79 and gommeqld for your advice, that's very helpful, thanks 3 7944 |